Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Peninsula War pair awarded to Surgeon-Major Thomas Smith, 23rd Foot

Military General Service 1793-1814, 5 clasps, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Toulouse (T. Smith, M.D. Asst. Surgn. 23rd Foot); Waterloo 1815 (Assist. Surg. Tho. Smith, 23rd Regiment Foot, R.W.F.) fitted with original steel clip and ring suspension, the pair contained in an old fitted frame with inscribed silver labels, the first sometime reconstituted having been in circular mount and with some rubbing to naming, otherwise nearly very fine, the second with light contact marks, otherwise very fine (2) £4000-5000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to Welsh Regiments formed by the Late Llewellyn Lord.

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Thomas Smith was born at Rathin, Aberdeenshire, on 26 May 1789, and was a pupil at Marischal College, Aberdeen University, 1805-08. He was appointed as Hospital Assistant on 29 March 1812, and as Assistant Surgeon to the 23rd Foot in July 1812, reporting to the 1st Battalion in the Peninsula in December of that year. He served throughout the campaigns of 1813, 14, and 15, including the battles of Vittoria, the Pyrenees, Nivelle, Orthes, Toulouse, and Waterloo. He qualified as M.D. at Edinburgh in 1825 and was promoted to Surgeon in the 23rd Foot on 13 July 1826. He remained with the regiment until 4 January 1839, when he was appointed Surgeon Major to the Forces in Canada, being stationed at Kingston. He was placed on half pay in September 1846, and died in Aberdeen on 29 April 1875, aged 85. A silver oval regimental medal (Balmer R256) awarded to this officer is held by the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum. Sold with copied research.